The Best Hot Glue Guns

There's not a household in the world that hasn't had to deal with its fair share of rips, tears, and broken things. Luckily, nifty products like the hot glue gun can serve as a reliable catch-all remedy to most of these problems. Whether you're trying to repair your little one's broken toy or fix a major appliance in your home, it's always smart to have a hot glue gun at your disposal. And in this piece, we've outlined a few of the best ones money can buy.

What To Look For

One of the quickest ways to improve your household tool arsenal is with a hot glue gun. But before you make your purchase, there are a few key factors to mull over. In our opinion, the attributes that make a glue gun stand out from the competition are the efficacy of its heating system, its variety of temperature settings, and its versatility. Most importantly, you’ll want to ensure that the glue gun you choose is well-suited to complete the tasks you intend to use it for. With all of this in mind, we feel Gorilla’s mini hot glue gun is the cream of the crop. This model boasts a dual-temperature heating system, an easy-squeeze trigger, and an impressively short 45-second heat-up window. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with more nozzle variety, it’s hard to go wrong with this pick from Boswell. With six copper nozzle attachments and a powerful 150-watt heating system, this versatile option is likely to handle any gluing task you can dream of throwing at it. Read on to discover more.

Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun

Stick it to 'em

With its easy-squeeze trigger and precision nozzle, this highly accessible hot glue gun is great for beginners and veterans alike.
Best Overall

Find on Amazon

If you’re looking for a solid all-purpose glue gun to take care of a variety of fixes around the house, this pick from Gorilla might be just what the doctor ordered. With a precision nozzle and multiple safety mechanisms, this glue gun is effective, clean, and dependable. One thing we really like is that its dual-temperature control allows you to toggle between heat settings depending on the material you’re gluing. And perhaps most impressive of all, this glue gun boasts a lightning-fast 45-second heat-up time, leaving many of its competitors in the dust.

Pros:

  • Large quantity of glue sticks included
  • Features a built-in stand
  • Easy-squeeze trigger

Cons:

  • The compact size might be a turnoff for some

Chandler Tool Full-Size Hot Glue Gun

Stick together

Thanks to its removable stand, you'll never have to worry about this glue gun falling over and ruining your projects.
Runner Up

Find on Amazon

For arts and crafts enthusiasts, there are few things more annoying than excessive glue drippings ruining a new project. Thankfully, Chandler Tool’s hot glue gun features a reliable anti-drip nozzle that can create precise lines and prevent accidental adhesive discharge. What’s more, this glue gun also features a sturdy removable stand that can stop the product from tipping over and potentially damaging your project. We also appreciate that Chandler Tool offers this impressive glue gun in an eclectic variety of bright color options.

Pros:

  • Great cost value
  • Built-in stand
  • Anti-drip nozzle

Cons:

  • We wish it came with more glue sticks

AdTech Dual Temperature Hot Glue Gun

Take your pick

Compact and affordable, this glue gun lets you choose between two temperature settings that can accommodate a wide variety of projects.
Best On A Budget

Find on Amazon

If you’re in the market for a compact hot glue gun that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, this option from AdTech might be the ideal choice for you. With dual-temperature functionality and a 40-watt heating system, this glue gun packs a wallop for its size. The low-temperature setting is advantageous when working with delicate fabrics, while the high-temperature alternative works better for heavy-duty fixes. Not to mention, the compact design makes it easy to store in a small drawer or cabinet for easy access.

Pros:

  • Dual-temperature heating system
  • Reaches desired temperature quickly
  • Usable for arts and crafts or home improvement tasks

Cons:

  • It doesn’t get as hot as models with higher wattage

Boswell Full-Size Hot Glue Gun

Ready, aim, fire

With a powerful heating system and a varied set of nozzles, this glue gun has a specialized attachment for tackling most quick fixes.
Best Nozzles

Find on Amazon

The nozzle is one of the most important parts of any hot glue gun. Luckily, Boswell includes six copper nozzle attachments with your purchase, allowing you to customize the speed and shape of the adhesive stream. Each nozzle utilizes anti-drip technology that can keep your projects looking tidy and free of excess glue. We also appreciate Boswell’s convenient built-in stand and easy-squeeze trigger.

Pros:

  • Highly customizable temperature dial
  • Six copper nozzle attachments included
  • 150-watt heating mechanism

Cons:

  • It takes a bit longer to heat up than several comparable products

Workpro Cordless Hot Melt Glue Gun

Handy dandy

Thanks to its drip-free nozzle and super-speedy discharge rate, this glue gun is ideal for arts and crafts projects.
Best For Crafts

Find on Amazon

Thanks to its convenient cordless design, Workpro’s hot glue gun is exceptionally well-suited for arts and crafts projects. It’s all too easy for cords to become tangled, preventing you from achieving the angles you need to add finishing touches to your project. Thanks to its 2600mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, you can move this glue gun anywhere about your workstation without impediments. We also appreciate the speedy discharge rate on display here.

Pros:

  • Three-hour battery charge time
  • Heats up in two minutes
  • Quick discharge rate

Cons:

  • We wish the battery life was longer-lasting

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of projects should I use a hot glue gun for?

You can use a hot glue gun in a wide variety of situations. Most commonly, people use hot glue guns in arts and crafts projects that deal with delicate fabrics. However, these appliances also come in handy when making light repairs around the house.

What is the purpose of the dual-temperature feature?

Glue guns utilize dual-temperature settings to increase the scope of the product’s functionality. It’s better to use a low-temperature setting when working with lightweight fabrics that could potentially become damaged from hot glue. Alternatively, it’s more advantageous to use a high-temperature setting when using your glue gun on hard materials such as plastic or wood.

About the Author

There's no better feeling than walking out the door in well-made clothes that make you look and feel great. Nick’s goal is to help readers feel that way every day. A true New Yorker, Nick is always up to date on the latest trends fresh off the runway. When he’s not writing about fashion, you can find him writing and producing music.

Why Trust Us

Since 2001, our experts at TheFashionSpot have been providing millions of people with our take on the latest trends. TheFashionSpot is constantly looking for the hottest styles in clothing and accessories for people of all body types. Our team knows that beauty starts well before the closet, so we are also dedicated to finding the best products for your skin and hair.